Lieutenant Colonel Dr Arcot G Rangaraj, a doctor from the Indian Army, is something of a hero in the Korean peninsula.

In July 2020, he was recognised as ‘Hero of the Month’, a unique distinction by the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

This accolade was for his efforts in leading the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit — during the Korean War (June 1950 to July 1953) — which treated about 2,00,000 cases, performed 23,000 surgeries and saved countless lives.

However, Rangaraj’s exemplary work did not end there. Following his tenure in the Indian Army, he went on to work with the WHO and played a pivotal role in eradicating smallpox in Afghanistan.

Born in 1917, Rangaraj studied medicine at the Madras Medical College before enlisting in the Indian Medical Service (part of the erstwhile British Indian Army) in 1941.

He then served as a medical officer in the Indian para battalion. During World War II, he served on the Manipur front.

Following World War II, Independence, and the dismantling of the Indian Medical Service, Dr Rangaraj was promoted to lead the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit of the Indian Army.

Around the same time, the Korean peninsula, divided after World War II, became a critical flashpoint in the Cold War between the USSR and the USA.

Leadership from North and South Korea claimed sovereignty over the entire peninsula. War soon broke out when North Korea invaded their neighbours in the South.

In following up with the UN’s request for military assistance from member states, India agreed to send a medical unit — the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit.

Led by Dr Rangaraj, the unit consisted of about 346 men, including four surgeons, two anaesthesiologists, and a dentist.

The unit was transported by ship around the end of October 1950 from Bombay (Mumbai) and arrived in Busan, South Korea, about a fortnight later. Within hours of their arrival, the Indian Medical Mission is said to have provided medical cover to the 27th Commonwealth British Brigade.

During one instance, when the Chinese troops had broken past UN lines following a counteroffensive, the medical unit was in serious danger of losing its critical equipment.

Fortunately, they would find an unused train with its engine, form a ‘Human Bucket Brigade’ from the Han River, and get the steam engine running to cross the Han River bridge before Chinese communist forces blew up the bridge.

The unit would also build temporary facilities near sites where pitched battles were being fought in the brutal winter of 1950-51 to treat the wounded. The Indian medical unit would also run four hospitals, including the first Republic of Korea Army Hospital, where they trained local nurses and doctors.

For their incredible service, they earned the moniker ‘Angels in Maroon Berets’.

Rangaraj and his unit would go on to serve well past the ceasefire in July 1953. They served for about 39 months in faraway land till February 1954.

Dr Rangaraj and three of his unit members were awarded the Chungmu Distinguished Military Service (Meritorious) Award, the third-highest award of the Korean military for distinguished service.

Following a life of advocacy and service, Rangaraj passed away on 23 March 2009 at the age of 92, but not before leaving behind an extraordinary legacy.